View Poll Results: Your favorite type of engine
V12
3
6.12%
V10
3
6.12%
V8
21
42.86%
V6
7
14.29%
Inline six
12
24.49%
Inline four
3
6.12%
Voters: 49. You may not vote on this poll
Your favorite type of engine . . .
12-06-16, 05:36 PM
#31
Okay, I'll cheat a little here and say the two engines that I admire the most are the ones built for WWII use:
(1) The Rolls-Royce Merlin V12
Used in the P-51, a remarkable fighter plane. Just 1,650 cubic inches and 1,500HP but loaded with state-of-the-art technology for the day such as dual-stage turbocharging for power at high altitudes.
(2) The Pratt 4360 28-cylinder "corncob" engine
A giant radial engine with 4 rows of 7 cylinders each, output 3,500HP from 4,360 cubic inches. These were mounted to a variety of aircraft, most notably the Spruce Goose.
These engines were designed under the pressures of war, with slide rules. Extremely powerful yet reliable, these two engines couldn't be more different in so many ways, yet they both served their 20-year-old crews well.
Now, back in my own world, I'm familiar with the Ford 289 V8 (1967 vintage) and the Chevy 427 big-block (1969). Both in mild tune, both inexpensive. In the days of my impressionable youth when I thought I could never die and the 427 Corvette was a new machine to be explored, nothing quite matched the moaning sound of the gigantic Rochester Quadrajet secondaries that only opened up when the throttle went beyond 75%.
Finally, as the happy owner of a 2010 RX450h, I have to say I'm very much impressed with the 3.5L V6--four overhead camshafts, variable cam timing, atkinson cycle, four valves per cylinder. Just a gorgeous engine, beautifully engineered. It ain't the horsepower, it's the technology that impresses me with this engine.
(1) The Rolls-Royce Merlin V12
Used in the P-51, a remarkable fighter plane. Just 1,650 cubic inches and 1,500HP but loaded with state-of-the-art technology for the day such as dual-stage turbocharging for power at high altitudes.
(2) The Pratt 4360 28-cylinder "corncob" engine
A giant radial engine with 4 rows of 7 cylinders each, output 3,500HP from 4,360 cubic inches. These were mounted to a variety of aircraft, most notably the Spruce Goose.
These engines were designed under the pressures of war, with slide rules. Extremely powerful yet reliable, these two engines couldn't be more different in so many ways, yet they both served their 20-year-old crews well.
Now, back in my own world, I'm familiar with the Ford 289 V8 (1967 vintage) and the Chevy 427 big-block (1969). Both in mild tune, both inexpensive. In the days of my impressionable youth when I thought I could never die and the 427 Corvette was a new machine to be explored, nothing quite matched the moaning sound of the gigantic Rochester Quadrajet secondaries that only opened up when the throttle went beyond 75%.
Finally, as the happy owner of a 2010 RX450h, I have to say I'm very much impressed with the 3.5L V6--four overhead camshafts, variable cam timing, atkinson cycle, four valves per cylinder. Just a gorgeous engine, beautifully engineered. It ain't the horsepower, it's the technology that impresses me with this engine.
12-06-16, 05:57 PM
#32
Lexus Fanatic
Okay, I'll cheat a little here and say the two engines that I admire the most are the ones built for WWII use:
(1) The Rolls-Royce Merlin V12
Used in the P-51, a remarkable fighter plane. Just 1,650 cubic inches and 1,500HP but loaded with state-of-the-art technology for the day such as dual-stage turbocharging for power at high altitudes.
(2) The Pratt 4360 28-cylinder "corncob" engine
A giant radial engine with 4 rows of 7 cylinders each, output 3,500HP from 4,360 cubic inches. These were mounted to a variety of aircraft, most notably the Spruce Goose.
(1) The Rolls-Royce Merlin V12
Used in the P-51, a remarkable fighter plane. Just 1,650 cubic inches and 1,500HP but loaded with state-of-the-art technology for the day such as dual-stage turbocharging for power at high altitudes.
(2) The Pratt 4360 28-cylinder "corncob" engine
A giant radial engine with 4 rows of 7 cylinders each, output 3,500HP from 4,360 cubic inches. These were mounted to a variety of aircraft, most notably the Spruce Goose.
Lancasters, and Mosquitos.
The big radials (like the 4360 you mention) were less-risky in combat due to the air cooling and lack of radiator/coolant leaks, and had less-complex controls for the pilots/flight engineers, but were noisy as hell, vibrated, collected oil in the bottom cylinders prone to hydraulic lock, needed frequent overhauls and/or cleaning-out, and belched large amounts of light-blue oil smoke out the exhaust on start-up. That's why you had to pull the props through several times before trying to crank them over.
Now, back in my own world, I'm familiar with the Ford 289 V8 (1967 vintage) and the Chevy 427 big-block (1969). Both in mild tune, both inexpensive. In the days of my impressionable youth when I thought I could never die and the 427 Corvette was a new machine to be explored, nothing quite matched the moaning sound of the gigantic Rochester Quadrajet secondaries that only opened up when the throttle went beyond 75%.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-06-16 at 07:53 PM.
12-06-16, 07:42 PM
#33
No love for the 4 cylinders!
My favorite engine is the V8 because of the sound and the exhaust rumble. I loved the sound in my '01 A6 4.2 and my '03 SC430. Just turning the car on was a thrill, but times have changed and I wouldn't own one now because smaller engines have proven equally fast (Audi Supercharged V6) and more fuel efficient (Audi 2.0 Turbo).
My favorite engine is the V8 because of the sound and the exhaust rumble. I loved the sound in my '01 A6 4.2 and my '03 SC430. Just turning the car on was a thrill, but times have changed and I wouldn't own one now because smaller engines have proven equally fast (Audi Supercharged V6) and more fuel efficient (Audi 2.0 Turbo).
Last edited by dseag2; 12-06-16 at 07:46 PM.
12-06-16, 09:25 PM
#34
Lexus Test Driver
Also like Acura's 3.5 V6. Quite smooth and has a nice growl when you step on it.
Not too pleased the Lexus 3.5. Truckish sounds in my mom's RX, but at least somewhat smooth.
12-06-16, 09:30 PM
#35
Lexus Test Driver
If we are going to talk about smoothness and engine noises outside of the auto industry, I nominate General Motor's EMD 645 superturbocharged diesel engine. It has the best sound in locomotives, like a chain saw ripping through fresh lumber. Also extremely reliable and efficient for it's time (1960's-1970's).
12-10-16, 01:00 PM
#36
Now, back in my own world, I'm familiar with the Ford 289 V8 (1967 vintage) and the Chevy 427 big-block (1969). Both in mild tune, both inexpensive. In the days of my impressionable youth when I thought I could never die and the 427 Corvette was a new machine to be explored, nothing quite matched the moaning sound of the gigantic Rochester Quadrajet secondaries that only opened up when the throttle went beyond 75%.
I love the Quadrajet sound too, especialy from one of my 455ci. Firebirds!
I love the Quadrajet sound too, especialy from one of my 455ci. Firebirds!
12-14-16, 06:27 PM
#37
Lexus Champion
+1 on this. My old '06 Acura TL, the engine was significantly smoother than the 3.5 in our IS350. Wasn't as quick, but incredibly smooth. The VTEC was an added bonus...car would sing at redline for as long as you wanted it to. I'm actually a bit surprised at the Toyota V6...it's not as refined as I thought it would be. Then again I drive an LS430 to which I doubt there's an engine on earth as smooth as the UZ.
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